Glacier Country News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a House Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing, Congressman Ryan Zinke voiced strong criticism towards the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for what he perceives as targeting Montana's energy sector. Zinke expressed his concerns regarding the Biden Administration's approach, stating, “It’s shameful and disappointing that we have an administration chalk full of talking heads ran by radicals who don’t seem to understand how shutting down American energy hurts everyone outside of the beltway and helps our adversaries.”

In response to Zinke's comments, EPA Administrator Michael Regan defended the new rules, stating that Montana was not the target of the EPA's actions. Regan mentioned that the EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule would lead to a 1% increase in rates for Montana, with regional increases anticipated due to compliance costs being passed on to consumers. This would compound the financial burden on Montana families, adding to the $26,000 increase in costs experienced since 2021.

The final rule package highlighted specific targeting of Montana's Colstrip facility on pages 46 and 79, outlining the requirements for upgrades to meet particulate matter controls. The EPA singled out Colstrip as the facility with coal-fired units lacking modern pollution controls, emphasizing the need for upgrades to meet regulatory standards.

The exchange between Rep. Zinke and Administrator Regan underscored the ongoing debate over energy policies and regulations impacting Montana's energy landscape. The differing perspectives on the implications of the EPA's actions reflect the broader national discourse on balancing environmental concerns with economic considerations.